RENTON — In a very straightforward sense, grabbing four points from a three-game road trip is a solid return. Only five teams in the Western Conference are currently outpacing the 1.33 points per game the Seattle Sounders averaged during that stretch. Considering those three games were all played in the span of about a week and featured more than 5,500 miles of air travel, it’s hard to be too upset.
But the Sounders hold themselves to a higher standard.
“We believe in this team, we believe what we’re doing,” Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan told reporters following Wednesday’s training session. “Yeah, we know the circumstances — three road games, not a lot of rest, late nights coming back. In the end we’ll take it, but we fully expect to try to get more points.
“This is our team. We’re built for the long haul and for moments like that where you’re faced with adversity and short rest. We expect a lot from this group. If we have those types of expectations, they’ll come true.”
Although the results were mixed, Roldan said he was happy with the approach the Sounders took in all three games. The Sounders were willing to take risks and even though it sometimes exposed them defensively, he think it’s an overall improvement over how they set up a year ago.
“I think I’d rather see us be a little bit more open because I think that we can defend well in transition,” Roldan said. “Last year, I felt like at times that we were surviving. Especially in the last seven games, I feel like we’ve been in more control and you have a sense of confidence when you’re on the ball. We’re getting into really dangerous areas. We’re getting runners in the box. There’s a switch of mentality in this group, and it’s been a pleasure to see.”
Back at home
After playing 9 of 14 on the road, the Sounders now head into a stretch where they will play 10 of 12 at home, which includes their next three league games.
First up is FC Dallas on Saturday, a team that will be coming off a midweek U.S. Open Cup match against the New York Red Bulls but who has also gone 3-1-3 on the road so far this year.
“We expect a resilient squad a squad that’s going to be tested and we need to try to put them out early, destroy that bit of confidence that that they may have going into this game.” Roldan said. “We need to bring the intensity that we have in the last seven games. We want to score goals. We want to push the tempo as well as be controlled in possession and defensively.”
Health updates
- Jackson Ragen was a full participant in training on Wednesday and looked “sharp”, according to head coach Brian Schmetzer. Ragen is expected to be available for selection against FC Dallas, assuming he passes the last few fitness tests. Ragen has missed the last six matches with a hamstring injury.
- João Paulo was a late scratch from Saturday’s game after experiencing a possible bout with food poisoning, which also gave him some rest after putting in a 90-minute shift against LAFC. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s training.
